Pseudoeurycea robertsi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pseudoeurycea robertsi |
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Pseudoeurycea robertsi is a special type of salamander found only in Mexico. It's also known as Roberts' false brook salamander. You can find it near a place called Nevado de Toluca, which is a volcano close to Toluca in the State of Mexico. This salamander was named after H. Radclyffe Roberts, who first collected a sample of it.
What Does Roberts' False Brook Salamander Look Like?
Female Roberts' false brook salamanders are usually about 35 to 51 millimeters long. This measurement is taken from their snout (nose) to their vent (a small opening near the tail). The only male found was about 49 millimeters long.
Their tail is flat on the sides and can be about the same length as their body, or a bit shorter. They have a wide, flat head with a blunt snout. A bright orange stripe runs down their back and tail, making them easy to spot. They also have strong, well-formed legs. Their first toe is very short, and they do not have webbed feet.
Interestingly, the orange stripes on their backs can look very different from one salamander to another. Scientists have found seven different patterns of these stripes! The average length of these stripes on adult salamanders is about 89 millimeters, but they can range from 38.7 to 117.9 millimeters.
Where Does It Live and How Is It Protected?
Roberts' false brook salamander lives on land in forests. These forests are made up of pine and fir trees. They live at high places, from about 2,900 to 3,600 meters (about 9,500 to 11,800 feet) above sea level.
You can often find these salamanders hiding under rocks, fallen logs, or loose bark from tree stumps. Even though they are somewhat common, their numbers have gone down over time. They also live in a very small area.
Their home is threatened by several things. Tourism, logging (cutting down trees), farming, and raising livestock (like cows or sheep) can harm their habitat. Also, cities growing bigger takes away their land. The Nevado de Toluca area used to be a national park, which gave it strong protection. Now, it's an "Área de protección de Flora y Fauna," which means "Area for the Protection of Plants and Animals." This offers a weaker level of protection for the salamanders and their home.
